Clinton remembers 'Boogers' McNally

Wednesday

Sep 11, 2013 at 8:08 PMSep 11, 2013 at 8:15 PM

By Karen Nugent, CORRESPONDENT

CLINTON — Jim McNally was once stopped in the local grocery store by a woman who had recently visited the Old Timer Restaurant, long owned by Mr. McNally's family. The popular Irish-themed restaurant on Church Street was known for Mr. McNally's vocal performances — usually sung without a microphone while carving up a large steamship round of beef.

The woman in the store told him how much she had enjoyed his rendition of an Irish ditty. That's when Mr. McNally belted the song out again — right there among the groceries.

"Is anyone surprised by that story at all? No," said the Rev. John Madden, who, with a cadre of other Catholic priests, presided over Mr. McNally's packed funeral Mass Wednesday at St. John the Evangelist Church.

James W. "Boogers" McNally, 82, a Marine Corps veteran who left college in the 1950s to work in the family business established circa 1929, died Friday.

Within the past decade, he survived two bouts of cancer, along with heart problems, but continued to work in the restaurant nearly every day.

His son Brian J. McNally, who intermittently cried and laughed while recounting his father's life in a eulogy Wednesday, said Mr. McNally withstood dental fillings without Novocain, and lots of other pain, with the phrase: "I'm fine, I'm a Marine."

Brian McNally, one of three sons, described his father's love of jokes — although often unable to get to the punch line, or, conversely, telling the punch line before the joke.

"He was famous for his one-liners: 'Don't worry about me, I'm on medication.' Or, 'I've had several requests tonight, but I'm going to sing anyway.' Nothing made him happier than walking around and talking to customers," his son said.

In fact, Mr. McNally often took a seat at customers' tables for a singalong. His most memorable song, "Danny Boy," is the opener on a CD he made several years ago, at Brian McNally's urging.

But according to many friends and relatives, Mr. McNally's favorite performance was his annual singing of "Oh, Holy Night" at St. John's during Christmas Mass.

"You thought you were at the church in St. Peter's Square," said Rev. Madden, of St. John's Catholic Church in Worcester.

James McNally is also survived by his wife of 51 years, Irene M. (Matisiewski) McNally, two brothers, a sister, five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

"He always said he was a man blessed with family and opportunity," Rev. Madden said.

"And isn't it the dream of all Irish boys in Clinton to marry a beautiful Polish girl?" he said, to huge applause.

Brian McNally said his father loved Clinton so much, it was difficult to get him to leave town. He would go to Revere Beach, Foxwoods in Connecticut, and Martha's Vineyard, where one of his first questions was about the ferry schedule home the next day.

"He was always anxious to get back to town," Brian McNally said.

He recounted how his father never bought sunglasses, because he just wore those left behind by customers at the Old Timer bar, even if they were women's styles.

The Mass ended with the singing of "Danny Boy" and a Celtic "song of farewell" by the choir, followed by "The Star-Spangled Banner," during which mourners were asked to join in.

The procession in and out of the church was led by a group of Old Timer employees, several in tears; and a Marine color guard. A bagpiper played on the church steps.

Mr. McNally was a religious man, and 10 priests walked ahead of his casket, including the Rev. Thomas V. Walsh and the Rev. Hugo Cano, pastor and associate pastor at St. John's.

A U.S. flag was laid over the casket, presented by John T. Mahan of the James R. Kirby American Legion Post in Clinton.

""It is fitting that on the anniversary of 9-11, this man who fought so many battles — medical and others — is celebrated," Rev. Madden said.